Can I just vent about something? V&As new kid ban...

[Kwahati]

By the time you ask how to pronounce every thing and what it is and what you are supposed to do with it, you evening is pretty much over. YEESH! LOL

That's why you arrive early: so you can shop (Basin store!) and have fun in the Grand Floridian before your meal (unless you're lucky enough to be staying there). By the time they roll me out of the place, I'm lucky to have the energy to get the attention of a front desk attendant to call me a cab! :p:

Honestly, though, they're very good about not being too pretentious about things at V&A. They'll explain to you everything on each of your plates and they won't get mad if you pronounce something wrong (although they will say it back with the correct pronunciation as a subtle form of correction).

Sorry it was so long winded...when I started off, it was only about a dozen words, but it amounted to ad hominem attacks and other pieces of my mind that should stay tucked away. I think I found a nicer and more constructive way to speak my mind in the end...it just took me a lot of words to do it!

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

That's why you arrive early: so you can shop (Basin store!) and have fun in the Grand Floridian before your meal (unless you're lucky enough to be staying there). By the time they roll me out of the place, I'm lucky to have the energy to get the attention of a front desk attendant to call me a cab! :p:

Honestly, though, they're very good about not being too pretentious about things at V&A. They'll explain to you everything on each of your plates and they won't get mad if you pronounce something wrong (although they will say it back with the correct pronunciation as a subtle form of correction).

Sorry it was so long winded...when I started off, it was only about a dozen words, but it amounted to ad hominem attacks and other pieces of my mind that should stay tucked away. I think I found a nicer and more constructive way to speak my mind in the end...it just took me a lot of words to do it!

Thats Okay, as long as you don't put that in the TPS reports!!

[Kwahati]

Thats Okay, as long as you don't put that in the TPS reports!!

Oh, don't worry about that. I got the memo!

[Zazu]

I just knew that Zazu would know about the trains of Amtrak! :D: His love of trains after all is renowned! Thanks so much for the info!

I am sorry the food was bad for you. We really did have great food. I was amazed that it was so good on a train.

I must have written poorly. I've never had "bad" food on Amtrak, I only meant to suggest that it wasn't something I'd go out for deliberately (especially with 98 great Disney restaurants nearby).

Is there still a petition going around to *Save the Trains* I saw and signed one on one of our train journeys. I know there a lot of people who want to save the rails, including me. It stinks that Congress does not want to help! The airlines keep getting bailed out, over and over and still have more problems, but not one red cent goes to the train which is a national shame. :mad: :(

There are often petitions about passenger trains, though most are locally organized and address just one route or one station.

The National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) does good work on this problem at the top -- Congress. It's a frustrating battle, and one that has to be waged again every single year. I'm glad there's a group like NARP to do it.

And Congress *does* give money to Amtrak. There isn't a passenger railway system in the world that can survive without government support. The trouble is that there's never enough support; it always seems to be just enough to prevent bankruptcy. There are also a variety of efforts each year to cut beyond that point, with President Bush recommending $0 some years.

Of course, if you compare Amtrak funding to that for highways or air transport on a passenger-mile basis, Amtrak *is* essentially unfunded.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Oh, don't worry about that. I got the memo!

Okay then, I have my clerk send you a memo about it!!

(hehehe)

Back to topic. Dining there was a big suprise to me, as I am used to grabbing a meal on the run when working, and sometimes eat at my desk when in the office. And I have had a lot of evening meals intrupeted by work, so just setting and haveing someone bring the great food, and explain it to me, (DW is a bit more accomplished than I in the arts) was really wonderful, and well worth the price. We even got some extras. (cavier and such)

[StephM]

By the time they roll me out of the place, I'm lucky to have the energy to get the attention of a front desk attendant to call me a cab! :p:

Sorry it was so long winded...when I started off, it was only about a dozen words, but it amounted to ad hominem attacks and other pieces of my mind that should stay tucked away.

I think it was eloquent and insightful and far better a description than I was able to give. :) When I think about our experience there, I just do not see ANY kid enjoying it. I don't care how many fine dining experiences they have had. I also agree that 16 or 18 may have been more appropriate, but I think Disney went with 10 because that equates "adult" for tickets and the dining plan and they didn't want that thrown in their faces. DD15 will be able to go for her 16th birthday with us, but I refused to take her any younger than that.

We were sooo full. We did the Chef's Table, so we had some of everything, I think 10 courses total and a bottle of champagne from the chef. :D:

My mom and sis had the kids, so we originally planned on hitting PI afterwards. HA! We were lucky we made it back to Saratoga Springs before we were asleep. ;) I thought sure John was going to be snoring in the cab.

The more I discuss it, the more I think I am going to have our anniversary dinner there on our mom and dad trip. John will be surprised. :D:

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

ot post, I moved over to Zazus trains one!

[Cheshire Figment]

Here is a link http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1109646 to what may be the best V&A dining report ever, with photos of all the food. It is for the Chef's Table, rather than the regular dining room, but it will be appreciated anyway.

Also, I have a modest proposal toward allowing children under 10 for those who feel so entitled. They must sign, in advance, a notarized agreement that if Timmy and/or Tammy disturb other Guest, then they will pick up the tab for each table that is so disturbed. I think I could tolerate a child disturbing my meal if the parents paid for the meal (including drinks, etc.).

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Here is a link http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1109646 to what may be the best V&A dining report ever, with photos of all the food. It is for the Chef's Table, rather than the regular dining room, but it will be appreciated anyway.

Also, I have a modest proposal toward allowing children under 10 for those who feel so entitled. They must sign, in advance, a notarized agreement that if Timmy and/or Tammy disturb other Guest, then they will pick up the tab for each table that is so disturbed. I think I could tolerate a child disturbing my meal if the parents paid for the meal (including drinks, etc.).

Thats a great Idea!! Then if you see a kid there, and sneak him some sugar candy!! Mmmmm Free food!!!(hehehe)

[DevilDuckie]

I am just curious if you have been to Victoria and Albert's, or viewed the menu. It is truly an experience, more than a meal. It is approximately 3 hours in length. (They have 2 sittings: 5:45 and 9:30).

We have not done V&A but we have done "event dining" as I like to call it and he had a great time. A 2+ hour meal did not trouble him, as he considered it to be like attending the theatre- it's an experience, not just a time to eat and he enjoys it as such.